This week’s New Testament reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews, specifically from Chapter 12, where the writer urges us to fix “our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith” (verse 2a). This is the second time the writer encourages us to focus on Jesus. He first mentioned it in Chapter 3, where he said: “Fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest (verse 1). Now, in Chapter 12, he tells us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (verse 2).

Why is it so important for us to focus on Jesus? For the author, that's a simple answer. He wants us to fix our thoughts and eyes on Jesus because:
     …Jesus is the Pioneer of our salvation who shows us the way of salvation, (2:10).
     …Jesus has opened a new and living way for us to come to God, (4:14-16).
     …Jesus is our Great High Priest who mercifully and faithfully lives to make intercession for us, (7:25).

For these reasons and many more, we need to stay focused on Jesus, draw near to Him, and persevere through Him so that when our lives end, we may receive the promised resurrection and eternal life stored up for us (1 Peter 1:3-5; 2 Timothy 4:7-8). Therefore, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, hold fast to the faith that’s been passed down to us, and steadily run the race that’s been marked out for us by Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

But that raises an important question: How can we keep our thoughts and eyes focused on Jesus? Paul’s letter to the Philippians offers three clear ways to help us do this.
     ...Forget what happened yesterday: “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ” (3:7-8a).
     ...Stay focused on what’s ahead today: "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (3:12b).
     ...Follow others who stay fixed on Jesus: "Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example… But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (3:17, 20-21).

How can we stay focused on Jesus? Let go of the past, pursue Jesus today, and always follow good examples. And when you lose your focus—repent, refocus, and start running after Jesus again.

The Lord’s peace be with you.

Joe